Common Misconceptions About Rescue

Myth: Rescue
groups are so desperate to find homes for dogs that they should just give
people whatever dog they want so they can help more dogs.

Truth:
Rescue
groups work to find the RIGHT home for a dog. There are many factors
to consider when adopting out a dog to a family:

What is the family's
lifestyle, and does it match the needs of the dog? Some dogs are
more sedate and would be fine with a family who has a small yard or
who isn't as active. Other dogs, such as retrievers and other
large breeds, require more exercise and will need a family with a
large yard or someone who is prepared for going for long daily walks.

Does the dog have special
needs, health considerations, and is the family able to provide the
care for the dog? Some dogs will need to take medications, or
have conditions that will require extra veterinary care.

Is the family familiar
with the particular breed of dog, and do they understand that
particular dog's traits? Many dogs are given up by owners to
shelters and rescues when their original owner was unaware of the
needs and personality of the breed. Again, we want people to
make informed decisions, and a good rescue will help them select a
breed that matches their lifestyle and own personality.

Is the family able to
provide the training that the dog needs? Some dogs that enter
rescue are already house trained and may have even had some obedience
classes. However, most dogs will require instruction, and
families should be ready to go to basic obedience and teach their dogs
house manners. One major advantage of adopting a rescue dog over
a puppy is that they are more focused and often more easy to train
when they are older and more attentive.

There are only a few of the
things that a rescue considers when adopting out a dog. Our goal is
always to make sure that the family is adequately prepared for the dog
they have chosen, that they are able to make a LIFETIME commitment to the
dog, and that the dog will be happy, safe, secure and part of the
family.

Myth: A rescue
group is a great place to go to adopt a purebred puppy.

Truth: While
rescues may VERY OCCASIONALLY have pedigreed puppies or young dogs
available, it is usually mixed breed puppies or purebred ADULT dogs that
are typically available for adoption. The most common ages for dogs
in rescue is 1 to 3 years. Dogs in this age are generally easier to
train than puppies because they are older and more focused, more ready to
please. In addition, rescues often have senior dogs (six years or
older) that also need homes. These dogs are especially wonderful to
adopt - they are often fully housetrained, very loyal, and make great
companions.

Myth: Rescues are
a good place to give up a dog, especially if I'm in a rush to find it a
home.

Truth: Rescues
are typically staffed by just a handful of volunteers. These
generous people often have full-time jobs, and donate their time to
helping dogs find homes. When a rescue is unable to assist
immediately with picking up a dog or finding it a home, people sometimes
assume that the rescue worker doesn't care. It isn't that they don't
care, but rather that there simply aren't enough resources (time, foster
homes, financial assistance) to help every person who has a dog to give
up. Those needing assistance must be patient when working with
rescue workers who are unpaid volunteers that give up most of their free
time to help dogs in need. When contacting a rescue, allow a couple
of days for them to get back to you.

Myth: Rescue
people are just trying to make money. The dogs should be available
for free - they shouldn't charge an adoption fee.

Truth:Rescues
often have horrendous expenses. Veterinary care costs money.
Many of the dogs that enter rescue have had little or no previous
veterinary care. Most need to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and
microchipped. In addition, rescues will provide medical care for any
other conditions that a dog may have. Many of the dogs that enter
rescue are "bought" from the shelter. Animal shelters do
not allow rescues to take the dogs for free; there are fees that must be
paid to the shelter in order to take the dog into a rescue program.
There are also transportation costs, phone bills, and other miscellaneous
expenses involved in rescue, and adoption fees and donations help to cover
these costs.

Myth: Rescues
will help find a home for my dog that has bitten or been aggressive with
people. My dog just needs a home without children.

Truth: Rescues
usually DO NOT take dogs that have demonstrated aggressiveness towards
humans. There simply are not enough resources to care of
non-aggressive dogs, much less dogs that have bitten or tried to
bite. In addition, if a rescue knowingly adopts a dog to someone
when the dog is known to have been aggressive, the adopting family may
pursue legal action against the rescue organization. The liability
in placing a dog that has bitten is simply too great. The best thing
to do if you own a dog that has tried to bite is to consult your
veterinarian to rule out medical causes for the behavior. Ask for a
referral to a behaviorist. If you have consulted with the above
specialists and your dog is still at risk of biting, the most humane thing
is to have your dog gently put to sleep. Do not take your dog to the
shelter when you know he/she is aggressive. The shelter will not
knowingly adopt out an aggressive dog. The separation from you is
very traumatic for your dog, and it is much kinder to put your dog to
sleep than to abandon him/her at the shelter where he/she will certainly
be euthanized at the end of the required hold period.

Myth: Rescue
groups will go in my neighbor's yard and take their neglected dog in order
to find it a new home.

Truth: Legitimate
rescues will not violate the law and "dog-nap". If you see
a dog that you feel is being neglected, call your local animal
control. However, understand that often animal control is unable to
assist except in the most extreme cases of neglect involving lack of food,
water or shelter. If you have already called animal control,
another option is to ask your neighbors if they still want the dog.
Often these people are glad to have someone offer to assist their dog, and
will gladly give the dog to you. If they do still want the dog and
you yourself decide to "dog-nap", you may help the first dog but
generally people like this will replace the dog with yet another that will
be tied up outside or otherwise neglected.